I went to Lake Apopka on Sunday morning specifically hoping for a second chance to photograph the visiting Mississippi Kites.
Mission accomplished!
Fortunately for me, I wasn’t the only photographer looking for the birds. Jaye Patrick was there when I arrived, and he helpfully pointed out two of the kites.
The lighting was much better this time than it was in my first visit with the kites last week. And while last week there were six of the birds flying around, this morning there was just two.
Still, I’m happy I got these photos since the Mississippi Kites will be leaving soon for migration.
Mississippi Kite, Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive, July 2026.Mississippi Kite, Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive, July 2026.Mississippi Kite, Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive, July 2026.Mississippi Kite, Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive, July 2026.Mississippi Kite, Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive, July 2026.Mississippi Kite, Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive, July 2026.Mississippi Kite, Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive, July 2026.Mississippi Kite, Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive, July 2026.Mississippi Kite, Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive, July 2026.Mississippi Kite, Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive, July 2026.Mississippi Kite, Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive, July 2026.
UCF is one of my favorite places to spend time in the fall, cheering on the Knights football team with my family and friends. But it’s also become a place I like to go to in the spring and early summer, thanks to the variety of birds that call the UCF Arboretum home.
I have found there are just some birds that are harder to photograph than others. I call them my nemesis birds, and the Northern Parula was one of them.
